When a baby has diarrhea, he needs to get enough fluid and food intake so he doesn't get dehydrated. However, Not all foods are suitable for babies when they have diarrhea. So, type of food whatever fitsgiven when baby diarrhea and how to solve it?
Diarrhea in infants is most often caused by a viral infection. But sometimes, diarrhea experienced by babies can also be caused by bacterial or parasitic infections, poisoning, drinking too much fruit juice, to side effects of drugs.
Babies can also experience diarrhea due to allergies to the formula they consume or lactose intolerance.
Under normal conditions, babies often defecate (more often than adults). However, a baby is said to have diarrhea if the texture of the stool that was originally solid changes to become more watery (diarrhea), or if the bowel movements occur more often, causing them to become weak or fussy.
Handling and Food for Diarrhea Babies
Diarrhea caused by a viral infection can go away on its own in a few days. However, babies need to get adequate fluid and food intake during diarrhea.
This is because a lot of baby's body fluids are wasted during diarrhea or vomiting. If the intake of fluids and food is not enough, the baby is prone to dehydration.
The following are steps for handling diarrhea in infants by providing the right food and drink:
1. Provide breast milk and electrolyte fluids
Diarrhea in infants under 6 months of age can be overcome by breastfeeding more often, especially when he vomits and has diarrhea. In infants over 6 months of age, breastfeeding may be continued while interspersed with rehydration drinks, such as ORS or pedialit, every time he defecates and vomits.
Breast milk contains immune building blocks that can help your little one fight infection. Therefore, it is important to give breast milk when your little one has diarrhea.
But remember, give your baby breast milk or rehydration drinks little by little but often, to prevent him from experiencing nausea and vomiting.
2. Choose foods for diarrhea
In addition to keeping your little one hydrated, overcoming diarrhea in babies can also be done by giving some of the foods below. However, feeding should only be done to infants aged 6 months or older.
The following are some types of complementary foods that can be given when the baby has diarrhea, namely:
- White rice or porridge.
- Chicken meat.
- Egg.
- Fruits, such as bananas, watermelons, and melons.
- Vegetables, such as carrots and potatoes.
- Cereals.
During diarrhea, give the foods above in small but frequent portions. Make sure the vegetables or meat you serve have been cooked thoroughly and the fruits have been washed. It is no less important, the cleanliness of MPASI equipment must also be maintained properly.
Also avoid serving foods that easily cause bloating, such as broccoli, bell peppers, peas, berries, beans, corn, and green vegetables. These types of foods can worsen diarrhea in infants.
3. Provide probiotics
Probiotics are good bacteria that function to keep the digestive tract healthy. These good bacteria can help fight pathogenic bacteria that cause diarrhea and strengthen the baby's immune system. For this reason, probiotics are included in the food group to treat diarrhea in infants.
Probiotics can be obtained through probiotic supplements, formula milk, or foods that contain probiotics, such as yogurt.
However, not all babies can take probiotics for diarrhea. New babies can be given probiotics when they have received complementary foods or when they are over 6 months old.
In addition to the several types of food above, babies with diarrhea may also need supplements zinc. To determine the dosage and how to give this supplement, you can consult further with your pediatrician.
Keep in mind, not all diarrhea in infants need to be treated with antibiotics or antidiarrheal drugs. Antibiotics are only effective for treating diarrhea due to bacterial infection. Diarrhea caused by a viral infection does not require antibiotics. While antidiarrheal drugs are not necessarily suitable and safe for infants and children.
Other Things to Pay Attention to When Baby Diarrhea
Given that your baby will defecate more often during diarrhea, you need to pay attention to hygiene. Change diapers regularly. Dirty diapers are at risk of causing irritation and diaper rash.
When changing your baby's diaper, do it carefully. Use a soft cloth that has been moistened with warm water to clean the skin, then allow it to dry.
Before putting on a diaper, apply an ointment or moisturizer containing petroleum jelly or zinc oxide. This action is done so that the baby feels more comfortable when using a diaper, while preventing rashes caused by diaper friction. Don't forget to wash your hands before and after changing diapers and cleaning the dirt, okay?
With proper care and proper food and fluid intake, diarrhea usually gets better on its own within a few days.
However, your little one should immediately be taken to the pediatrician if the diarrhea does not improve within 2 days or is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, dark colored stools or blood in the stool, infrequent urination, and looks very weak.
